Southern California -- this just in

Somali immigrant pleads guilty to sending money to terrorists

December 1, 2011 | 3:27
pm

A 25-year-old Somali immigrant pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Thursday to sending money to help a terrorist group in her native land.

Nima Yusuf, who lived in San Diego, admitted that she sent $1,450 to three men who had left the United States to fight for al-Shabaab and that she lied about her activities to agents from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.

Yusuf faces a possible 15 years in prison and $250,000 fine when she is sentenced Feb. 10. In her plea, Yusuf admitted working with four Somalis now under indictment in Minnesota for aiding al-Shabaab.

Four Somali men, indicted with Yusuf, are set for trial in San Diego next year.

Listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist group, al-Shabaab is attempting to overthrow the government of Somalia and impose Shari-a law.